The iconic monster was released in ’93, so Ducati decided to capitalize on the 20th anniversary with a special model. It’s the last of the air-cooled Monsters, but the reason I’m featuring this exact model is because it comes with the “Imola” bodywork, my favorite of the optional paint schemes. This specific example is #130 of the 200 produced, and …
Never Started – 1990 Bimota Tuatara YB6
The Bimota Tuatara YB6 was claimed to be the fastest production motorcycle of its time – though Kawasaki would claim otherwise with their ZZR1100. Still, this bike was an absolute rocket, capable of a solid 175 miles per hour thanks to a tuned Yamaha FZR1000 engine.
Bitsa Bike – 1980 Moto Guzzi Custom
Bitsa is a slang term that refers to a bike that’s been put together with “bits of” one bike and “bits of” another. This custom Moto Guzzi definitely qualifies, as it has pieces from multiple late 70s and early 80s Guzzis. As long as you’re not a stickler for originality, who cares? This bike looks good.
1 of 200 – 2003 Aprilia Tuono Racing
The Aprilia Tuono Racing (before the Italian company started applying the ‘Factory’ moniker on their high-performance bikes) was a limited edition, highest-spec version of the naked Tuono. Think of it as the RSV-R without a fairing and with wider, flatter bars.
Orange Crush – 1974 Laverda 750 SFC
10-1 Update: This Laverda 750 SFC did not meet reserve at $50,000 the last time it was listed. It’s now back up for sale with bidding up to $35,100 (and yes, the reserve not yet met) here on eBay. Say hello to the Laverda 750 SFC, a limited-production, street-legal racer that was the most iconic bike to ever come with …
1981 Moto Guzzi CX100 LeMans
Post Sale Update: After 18 bids on eBay, this CX100 sold for $5,202.61. The successor to the legendary 850cc Le Mans, the Moto Guzzi LeMans II CX100 was created to satisfy the American mantra of “no replacement for displacement” and as competition to the BMW R100RS. Guzzi took the engine and lower fairings from the 1000SP sport tourer, and threw …
A pair of Moto Guzzi 1100 Sports
One of my favorite Guzzis, the 1100 Sport was a beautiful deviation from what people expect from the Italian firm. This is one of the earlier models, which comes with gigantic 40mm Dell’Orto’s instead of electronic injection (denoted as the 1100i). The engine produced 90 horsepower and the 5-speed transmission was geared very tall, so you could hit nearly 140. …
2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
When someone like Frank Charriaut says the V7 is one of the best looking motorcycles currently available, I try to find one for you! So here’s a beautiful example with some choice (but removable) modifications.
1984 Moto Guzzi Lemans Cafe Racer
This beautiful Moto Guzzi Lemans Cafe Racer is based on a Lemans III and is claimed to be set-up like a race bike.
The First Ducati – 1951 Ducati 60
I’m sure I’ll get someone who wants to say that the Cucciolo was actually Ducati’s first motorcycle – but that was really just a bicycle with a mounted engine. The evolution of the Cucciolo (which translated to “little puppy”) was the Ducati 60, what the firm considered to be a “light motorcycle”. The next development of the Cucciolo was the …
1986 Ducati 750 F1
Post Listing Update: This F1 did not meet reserve despite 5 bids up to $10,655. Ducati’s last stand before being sold to the Castiglioni brothers, the 750F1A featured hand made aluminum tanks, floating rotors, and other features designed to make it a race bike for the street. Raw and uncompromising, it was slightly down on power but an excellent handler …
1979 Ducati 900 Super Sport Darmah
Post-Listing Update: Despite bidding up to $15,200 on eBay, this Ducati 900 Super Sport Darmah did not meet reserve. After the classic 750 GT of the 70s, Ducati looked to evolve with a simpler engine, and they ended up with the first ‘square case’ bevel twin – the 860 GT. It was a commercial flop, so just a few years …
Tenni Green – 2012 Moto Guzzi Griso SE
The Moto Guzzi Griso SE is a special edition of the venerable Griso, that is set off by beautiful Tenni paint reminiscient of Guzzi’s racebikes of the 1950s. The SE got several extras, including spoked wheels, the beautiful paint (and brown leather seat), and blacked out parts all over the place. Mechanically, you also got adjustable suspension, and giant Brembo …
984 Miles – 1998 Ducati 916 SPS
Post Sale Update: This SPS sold for $19,100 after 46 bids on eBay. A limited edition of one of the prettiest motorcycles ever made, the Ducati 916 SPS (Sport Production Special) was an uprated version that featured a modified engine and chassis. Nearly all the specifications were improved like Ohlins rear shocks and Showa front forks, it was designed to …
1975 Laverda 3C
Predecessor to the Jota, the Laverda 3C was the Italian firms’ first three-cylinder engine. It’s also a rare bike, and this beauty is in my favorite of the Laverda colors.